The Barn Concert Series opens its 2026 schedule Thursday with a pair of acts from New Orleans, Louisiana. Alexis & the Sanity will headline the show, with singer-songwriter Olivia Barnes opening the concert at 7 p.m.
Pop duo Alexis & the Sanity was formally christened in spring 2023 when its debut single “Hind Legs” was released. The band’s sound blends electronic samples, acoustic instruments and the soprano vocals of frontwoman Alexis Marceaux. The group, consisting of Marceaux and violinist and keyboardist Sam Craft, previously performed for more than a decade as Alexis & the Samurai before adopting a new name to reflect an evolving sound.
According to Alexis Marceaux, “The Samurai had a jaunty, Americana vibe. Our new stuff is darker and more electronic, and we wanted to start fresh after the pandemic, hence the name change.”
The duo’s work has included appearances on NCIS, Treme and other television shows and films, leading to festival bookings and regular residencies. The group’s debut album, “Tongue Tied,” was released in 2025.
The band spent much of 2023 and 2024 developing new material and testing its sound during weekly performances at the New Orleans listening room Chickie Wah Wah.
Olivia Barnes is scheduled to open the show.
“I first saw Alexis & the Sanity and Olivia Barnes at last year’s AmericanaFest in Nashville,” said Steve Ellis, who, along with his wife Kay, produces the local music series. “I think our audience is in for something really special with this show.”
At each Barn Concert Series event, the audience is provided a free dinner and beverages. A donation jar is placed near the food tent for contributions to a local charity. For the first show this year, donations will benefit the Riverwalk Arboretum along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway near downtown.
“The arboretum project is the first group we want to support this season,” said Kay Ellis. “The others include The Joy Prom, Cicero’s Coalition, St. Vincent de Paul, Loaves and Fishes and Hearts Apart.” Before each performance, attendees are informed about the featured charities and their work in the Golden Triangle.
Parking and dinner begin at 6 p.m. at the Mac Davis Road venue, with music starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available at barnconcertseries.com. Season tickets are also available on the website.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
